Method and system for processing a message

ABSTRACT

A method and system are provided for processing a message, which is being delivered from one mobile network to another. A request to send routing instructions of the message to a store-and-forward center of a transmitting mobile network is received at a moderator server of a receiving mobile network. The routing instructions are generated in the moderator server, so that the routing instructions instruct the store-and-forward center to route the message to a gateway server of the receiving mobile network. The routing instructions are transmitted from the moderator server to the store-and-forward center. Then the message, which has been sent according to the routing instructions from the store-and-forward center of the transmitting mobile network, is received at the gateway server. From the gateway server the message is forwarded for modifying and archiving purposes of the message.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to mobile communication networksand particularly to a method and system for processing a message.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sending messages in mobile communication networks is a widely used andpopular service. For example, mainstream messaging types in the GSM(Global System for Mobile Communications) network are SMS (Short MessageService) and MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) messages. Messages aretypically sent and received with mobile terminals such as a mobile phoneor a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). Mobile communication networks canalso be used to send and receive other type of messages, includingelectronic mail messages, voice messages, video messages, picturemessages and text messages. When a mobile terminal user sends a messageto another mobile terminal user within a mobile network of the samenetwork operator, the message is typically first delivered via a basestation to a store-and-forward center of the mobile network. Thestore-and-forward center forwards the destination address of the messageto a subscriber location database which then returns routinginstructions of the message to the store-and-forward center. The messageis then delivered according to the routing instructions to the recipientvia a specific base station.

If the recipient is beyond the reach of the mobile network, thestore-and-forward center stores the message. The store-and-forwardcenter has a time limit for how long it will store the message and thusit is suitable for short-term storing only. Subscribers can usuallyspecify a shorter time limit if they want. The subscriber locationdatabase informs the store-and-forward center when the recipient isreachable and then the store-and-forward center delivers the message tothe recipient.

The situation is more complex when a sender and a recipient of a messageare subscribers of mobile networks of different network operators. Inthis case a store-and-forward center of the transmitting mobile networkforwards the destination address of the message to a subscriber locationdatabase of the receiving mobile network. The database returns routinginstructions and then the message is delivered according to the routinginstructions from the transmitting mobile network to the recipientthrough a specific base station of the receiving mobile network.Typically the network operator of the transmitting mobile network has topay a so-called termination fee to the network operator of the receivingmobile network.

In this kind of communication arrangement, i.e. where mobile terminalusers are subscribers of mobile networks of different network operators,a message cannot be stored, not even temporarily, in the mobile networkof the network operator of the recipient. In addition, it is notpossible to modify a message in the receiving mobile network, forexample by adding information such as an advertisement to the message.

SUMMARY

In accordance with aspects of the present invention, there is provided amethod and system according to the appended claims.

Embodiments of the invention are particularly convenient for use inenabling to route a message in a versatile way from a mobile terminaluser of one mobile network to another mobile terminal user of anothermobile network.

In accordance with further aspects of the invention, there is provided amethod and system enabling to archive a message in a mobile network,which message has been sent from another mobile network.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparentfrom the following description of preferred embodiments of the aspectsof the invention, given by way of example only, which is made withreference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood thatother embodiments may be utilized, and structural and functionalmodifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit ofthe present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a prior art communication systemcomprising mobile networks of different network operators,

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a communication system according to anembodiment of the invention comprising mobile networks of differentnetwork operators, and

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a communication system according to anembodiment of the invention comprising mobile networks of differentnetwork operators.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description of the various embodiments, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in whichis shown by way of illustration some of the embodiments in which theinvention may be practiced. The exemplary embodiments presented in thistext and their advantages relate by applicable parts to the method aswell as the system according to the invention, even though this is notalways separately mentioned.

The present invention relates to processing a message being deliveredfrom one mobile network to another. The invention is applicable tovarious network technologies, such as second-generation (2G) and “secondand a half”—generation (2.5 G) mobile networks based on time divisionmultiple access (TDMA) technology, and third-generation (3G) networksbased on code division multiple access (CDMA) and wideband code divisionmultiple access (WCDMA) technologies. Some examples of suitable mobilenetworks are GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), GPRS(General Packet Radio Service), EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSMEvolution) and UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System).

Some embodiments of the present invention enable modifying a messagewhich has been received from a mobile terminal user of a mobile networkand which message will be delivered to another mobile terminal user ofanother mobile network. Some embodiments of the present invention alsoenable storing a message in an archive, which can be accessed via anapplication program interface (API), and from which the message can beconveyed to a web service or a mobile terminal user.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a prior art communication systemcomprising mobile networks of two network operators. In this exemplaryillustration an SMS message is delivered from a subscriber of a mobilenetwork to another subscriber of another mobile network. A subscriber 21of a transmitting mobile network 20 sends the message by using a mobileterminal (MT) 22, such as a mobile phone. The message is first deliveredto a short message service center (SMSC) 23 of the transmitting mobilenetwork 20 via a base station (BS) 24. Then the SMSC 23 forwards thedestination address of the message to a home location register (HLR) 15of the receiving mobile network 10. The HLR 15 maintains locationinformation and service profiles of the subscribers 11 of the receivingmobile network 10. The HLR 15 returns routing instructions to the SMSC23 and then, according to the instructions, the message is deliveredfrom the SMSC 23 of the transmitting mobile network 20 to a mobileterminal 12 of a recipient 11 via a base station 14 of the receivingmobile network 10.

When delivering the message, from the subscriber 21 to the subscriber11, in the prior art communication system shown in FIG. 1, a HLR 25 ofthe transmitting mobile network 20 is not utilized. Respectively, anSMSC 13 of the receiving mobile network 10 is not used either, and inconsequence of this the message cannot be stored, not even temporarily,in the receiving mobile network 10.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a communication system according to anembodiment of the invention. Instead of requesting routing instructionsof the message from the HLR 15, the request is delivered to a moderatorserver 16 of the receiving mobile network 10. The moderator server 16imitates operation of the HLR 15 to the SMSC 23 of the transmittingmobile network 20. The routing instructions of the message are generatedat the moderator server 16. The routing instructions advise the SMSC 23of the transmitting mobile network 20 to deliver the message to agateway server 17 of the receiving mobile network 10. The gateway server17 transmits the message to the SMSC 13, which then, by utilizing theinformation of the HLR 15, forwards the message to the mobile terminal12 of the recipient 11 via the base station 14. By routing the messagethrough the SMSC 13, instead of delivering the message directly to thebase station 14, the message can be temporarily stored in the receivingmobile network 10.

By a server is meant a unit that provides some service to a system. Aserver can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination ofhardware and software. The moderator server 16 and gateway server 17 canbe different units or one and the same unit.

The SMSC 13 and SMSC 23 represent examples of a store-and-forwardcenter, which store-and-forward center is responsible for relaying,storing and forwarding a message. Typically, the store-and-forwardcenter is an SMSC (Short Message Service Center) as shown in FIG. 2 orMMSC (Multimedia Messaging Service Center) designed to process SMS(Short Message Service) messages or MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service)messages, respectively. The request to send routing instructionstypically comprises information of the recipient of the message. Theinformation can include e.g. the destination address of the message,such as an MSISDN (Mobile Subscriber Integrated Services DigitalNetwork).

In this exemplary illustration shown in FIG. 2 the message is an SMSmessage even though typically in this text by a message is meant anelectronic data message suitable for being delivered in mobile networksfrom one subscriber to another. Some examples of a message are an SMSmessage, MMS message, electronic mail message, voice message, videomessage, picture message and text message. Besides including subjectmatter, a message can also comprise information regarding the senderand/or recipient of the message, e.g. sender's and/or recipient'sMSISDN. Messages can be sent and received for example with mobileterminals 12, 22 such as a mobile phone or a PDA.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a communication system according to anembodiment of the invention. The routing instructions received from themoderator server 16 instruct the SMSC 23 to deliver the message to thegateway server 17. From the gateway server 17 the message can bedelivered to a value-added service gateway (VAS GW) server 31 as shownin FIG. 3, or alternatively to the SMSC 13. Selecting the forwardingroute can e.g. be based on subscriber information of a value-addedservice. The selecting can comprise reading recipient informationincluded in the message, comparing said recipient information withsubscriber information of the value-added service, and determining theforwarding route for the message based on whether the recipient of themessage is a subscriber of the value-added service or not. The recipientinformation included in the message can be e.g. the recipient's MSISDN.

By a value-added service is meant a non-core telecommunication service.On a conceptual level, a value-added service adds value to the standardservice offering, spurring subscribers of the mobile network to usetheir mobile phones more and allowing the network operator to drive upthe average revenue per user. A value-added service can be providedeither in-house by the network operator or by a third party value-addedservice provider. Subscriber information of a value-added service cancomprise e.g. subscriber's MSISDN and information of subscribed servicefeatures. Subscriber information of a value-added service can bemaintained e.g. on the gateway server 17.

At the VAS GW server 31 content of the message can be modified, forexample by adding an advertisement to the message by utilizingsubscriber information of the value-added service. Subscriberinformation can be maintained on the VAS GW server 31, andadvertisements and campaign parameters can be maintained on anadvertising campaign system 32.

The message can be modified by reading recipient information included inthe message, selecting subscriber information of the value-added servicecorresponding to the recipient information, selecting an advertisementfrom the advertising campaign system 32 based on said subscriberinformation and campaign parameters, and adding said advertisement tothe message. The recipient information included in the message can bee.g. the recipient's MSISDN.

An advertiser 33 or a third party uses the advertising campaign system32 to design an advertising campaign. The advertiser 33 or third partytypically defines campaign parameters, which set the rules of theadvertising campaign, and inputs advertisements to the advertisingcampaign system 32. Campaign parameters define e.g. certain subscriberprofiles i.e. one or more subscribers with similar properties. By anadvertisement is meant electronic data that can be attached to themessage and represented visually and/or acoustically to a consumer. Anadvertisement can comprise e.g. text, images, sounds, videos, html(hypertext markup language), xml (extensible markup language), tags,links.

An advertisement can be selected according to a set of rules as definedby the advertiser 33 or a third party operator. One of the rules bywhich an advertisement is selected for the message is based on theprofile of the receiving mobile terminal 12. Alternatively the selectioncan be based on the profile of the sending mobile terminal 22. Since theprofile of the sending mobile terminal 22 is typically known by thenetwork operator of the transmitting mobile network 20, selection of theadvertisement based on this information requires business agreementsbetween the network operators. One type of an arrangement is a revenueshare of the generated advertising revenues to cover a part or all ofthe termination cost to be paid by the network operator of thetransmitting mobile network 20 in return of the profile information.

From the VAS GW server 31 a copy of the message with or without theadvertisement can be forwarded to and then stored in an archive database34. Forwarding a copy of the message to the archive database 34 may beconditional on activation of an archive service of the value-addedservice. In case the recipient of the message has activated the archiveservice, a copy of the message is conveyed to the archive database 34.

The archive database 34 enables long-term storing of the message. Thearchive database 34 can be implemented in such a database structure thatthe original message and added advertisement content are presentedtogether or the advertisement related to the message can be changedperiodically or randomly, or whenever certain parameters defining themodifying process of the message are updated. The advertisement can bechanged e.g. when the profile of the recipient (subscriber information)changes or when an advertising campaign (advertisements, campaignparameters) defined in the advertising campaign system 32 changes. TheVAS GW server 31 may be configured to change an advertisement.

An archive service is an optional feature of the value-added service. Byan archive database 34 is meant an electronic database of archivedmessages. Archived messages can be accessed by the subscriber of thevalue-added service and if allowed by a third party for furtherprocessing purposes. Messages can be stored with or without anadvertisement.

The archive database 34 can comprise an application program interface(API). By an application program interface is meant an interface(calling conventions) by which an application program accesses anoperating system and other services. An access for a web service to thearchive database 34 can be given through the API. The API can include amethod for conveying the message to a web service such as a blog,personal or corporate web page, mobile Internet service, or wirelessapplication protocol (WAP) service. The API may also include a methodfor altering the advertisement of the message in said implemented webservice. By using the API the message can be downloaded to a web serviceserver 35, which can be configured to present the message with orwithout the advertisement. The subscriber of the value-added service orthe network operator can determine which messages are conveyed to theweb service server 35 and published e.g. as blog entries. Anadvertisement related to the archived message or blog message can be thesame, similar or different than once sent to the subscriber.

The archive database 34 can be configured to track the number of clicksor viewings of the advertisement included in the message and to generatestatistics information. By generating statistics information based onthe number of clicks or viewings of the advertisement, consumer benefitscan be generated for the subscriber of the value-added service.

The advertisement included in the message in the archive database 34 orweb service server 35 can include a “click-thru” type of functionality.“Click-thru” refers here to a concept where a ticket is issued to theadvertising campaign system 32 for billing purposes if the recipient 11or other user clicks on the message entry and/or related advertisementin the archive database 34 or web service server 35. The “click-thru”feature can be used to give subscriber benefits such as free orsubsidized voice minutes, messaging services and/or data services in themobile network by adjusting the balance of the subscriber's account(pre-paid or post-paid).

The arrangement can also be used e.g. to provide an easy mobile blogservice by allocating a special number to which a message is sent andthen published as a blog entry for the subscriber. The arrangement caninclude a possibility for the subscriber and the network operator toenter parameters and a set of rules according to which messages receivedand sent are published as blog entries and who can have access to those(privacy level).

To deliver the message to the recipient 11, the message is transmittedfrom the VAS GW server 31 to the SMSC 13 as shown in FIG. 3. The SMSC 13determines location of the recipient 11 by communicating with the HLR15. Then according to the location the message is delivered to themobile terminal 12 of the recipient 11 via the base station 14. Theadvertisement related to the message can be different than theadvertisement related to the message in the archive database 34 or webservice server 35.

The HLR 15 represents an example of a subscriber location database whichis an electronic database of permanent subscriber information for themobile network, including address, account status, and preferences. Thesubscriber location database maintains e.g. details of SIM (SubscriberIdentity Module) cards issued by the network operator. The subscriberlocation database also comprises location information and serviceprofiles of the subscribers of the mobile network. The subscriberlocation database, which is maintained by the network operator, alsomanages the mobility of subscribers by means of updating their position.

The modifying and archiving arrangement of a message shown in FIG. 3 canalso be used to provide services for a message sent from the mobilenetwork 10 to the mobile network 20. Furthermore, the describedarrangement is also suitable for processing a message sent and receivedwithin one mobile network 10.

Being computer-related, it can be appreciated that the componentsdisclosed herein may be implemented in hardware, software, or acombination of hardware and software. Software components may be in theform of computer-readable program code stored in a computer-readablestorage medium such as memory, mass storage device, or removable storagedevice. For example, a computer-readable medium may comprisecomputer-readable code for performing the function of a particularcomponent. Likewise, computer memory may be configured to include one ormore components, which may then be executed by a processor. Componentsmay be implemented separately in multiple modules or together in asingle module.

Only advantageous exemplary embodiments of the invention are describedin the figures. It is clear to a person skilled in the art that theinvention is not restricted only to the examples presented above, butthe invention may vary within the limits of the claims presentedhereafter. Some possible embodiments of the invention are described inthe dependent claims, and they are not to be considered to restrict thescope of protection of the invention as such.

1. A method for processing a message, comprising: receiving, at amoderator server of a first mobile network, a request to send routinginstructions of the message to a store-and-forward center of a secondmobile network; generating the routing instructions in the moderatorserver, which routing instructions instruct the store-and-forward centerof the second mobile network to route the message to a gateway server ofthe first mobile network; transmitting the routing instructions from themoderator server to the store-and-forward center; and receiving, at thegateway server, the message from the store-and-forward center of thesecond mobile network, which message has been sent according to therouting instructions.
 2. A method according to claim 1, in which themessage is selected from a group comprising a short message servicemessage, multimedia messaging service message, electronic mail message,voice message, video message, picture message and text message.
 3. Amethod according to claim 1, further comprising: forwarding the messageto a value-added service gateway server.
 4. A method according to claim3, further comprising: modifying content of the message at thevalue-added service gateway server.
 5. A method according to claim 4, inwhich said modifying content of the message is performed by: readingrecipient information included in the message; selecting subscriberinformation of a value-added service corresponding to said recipientinformation; selecting an advertisement from an advertising campaignsystem which selecting is based on campaign parameters and saidsubscriber information; and adding said advertisement to the message. 6.A method according to claim 1, further comprising: forwarding a copy ofthe message to an archive database; and storing the copy of the messagein said archive database.
 7. A method according to claim 6, in whichsaid forwarding a copy of the message to an archive database, andstoring the message in said archive database is performed in case therecipient of the message has activated an archive service of thevalue-added service.
 8. A method according to claim 6, furthercomprising: updating advertisements maintained on the advertisingcampaign system; and modifying the content of the message whichmodifying is based on updated advertisements.
 9. A method according toclaim 6, further comprising: updating campaign parameters maintained onthe advertising campaign system; and modifying the content of themessage which modifying is based on updated campaign parameters.
 10. Amethod according to claim 6, further comprising: updating subscriberinformation of the value-added service maintained on the value-addedservice gateway server; and modifying the content of the message whichmodifying is based on updated subscriber information.
 11. A methodaccording to claim 6, further comprising: giving, for a web service, anaccess to the archive database through an application program interface;and conveying the message from the archive database to the web serviceserver through the application program interface.
 12. A method accordingto claim 11, further comprising: presenting the message by using the webservice; tracking a number of clicks or viewings of the advertisementincluded in the message; and generating statistics information based onthe number of clicks or viewings of the advertisement.
 13. A methodaccording to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising:forwarding the message to a store-and-forward center of the first mobilenetwork; determining location of the recipient by communicating with asubscriber location database of the first mobile network, whichsubscriber location database maintains location information ofsubscribers of the first mobile network; electing a base station of thefirst mobile network based on the location f the recipient; anddelivering the message through said base station to the recipient.
 14. Amethod according to claim 13, in which the store-and-forward center ofthe first mobile network is selected from a group comprising a shortmessage service center and multimedia messaging service center.
 15. Amethod according to claim 14, in which the subscriber location databaseis a home location register.
 16. A system for processing a message,comprising: a moderator server of a first mobile network configured toreceive a request to send routing instructions of the message to astore-and-forward center of a second mobile network, to generate therouting instructions which instruct the store-and-forward center toroute the message to a gateway server of the first mobile network, andto transmit the routing instructions to the store-and-forward center;and a gateway server of the first mobile network configured to receivethe message from the store-and-forward center of the second mobilenetwork, which message has been sent according to the routinginstructions.
 17. A system according to claim 16, wherein the message isselected from a group comprising a short message service message,multimedia messaging service message, electronic mail message, voicemessage, video message, picture message and text message.
 18. A systemaccording to claim 16, further comprising a value added service gatewayserver configured to receive the message from the gateway server, andwherein the gateway server is configured to forward the message to thevalue-added service gateway server.
 19. A system according to claim 18,wherein the value-added service gateway server is configured to modifycontent of the message.
 20. A system according to claim 19, furthercomprising an advertising campaign system configured to maintainadvertisements and campaign parameters, and wherein the value-addedservice gateway server is configured to read recipient informationincluded in the message, to select subscriber information of avalue-added service corresponding to said recipient information whichsubscriber information is maintained on the value-added service gatewayserver, to select an advertisement from the advertising campaign systemwhich selecting is based on said subscriber information and campaignparameters, and to add said advertisement to the message.
 21. A systemaccording to claim 18, further comprising an archive database configuredto store the message, and wherein the value-added service gateway serveris configured to forward a copy of the message to the archive database.22. A system according to claim 19, wherein the value-added servicegateway server is configured to modify the content of the message whichmodifying is based on updated advertisements.
 23. A system according toclaim 19, wherein the value-added service gateway server is configuredto modify the content of the message which modifying is based on updatedcampaign parameters.
 24. A system according to claim 19, wherein thevalue-added service gateway server is configured to modify the contentof the message which modifying is based on updated subscriberinformation.
 25. A system according to claim 21, wherein the archivedatabase comprises an application program interface configured to givean access for a web service to said archive database, and to convey themessage to said web service.
 26. A system according to claim 25, whereinthe archive database is configured to track a number of clicks orviewings of the advertisement included in the message and presented inthe web service, and to generate statistics information based on thenumber of clicks or viewings of the advertisement.
 27. A systemaccording to claim 16, further comprising a store-and-forward center ofthe first mobile network configured to receive the message.
 28. A systemaccording to claim 27, wherein the store-and-forward center of the firstmobile network is selected from a group comprising a short messageservice center and multimedia messaging service center.
 29. A systemaccording to claim 27, wherein the value-added service gateway server isconfigured to forward the message to the store-and-forward center of thefirst mobile network.
 30. A system according to claim 27, wherein thegateway server is configured to forward the message to thestore-and-forward center of the first mobile network.
 31. A systemaccording to claim 29, further comprising a subscriber location databaseof the first mobile network configured to maintain location informationof subscribers of the first mobile network.
 32. A system according toclaim 31, wherein the subscriber location database is a home locationregister.
 33. A system according to claim 31, wherein thestore-and-forward center of the first mobile network is configured todetermine location of the recipient by communicating with the subscriberlocation database, and to deliver the message to the recipient.
 34. Amoderator server, comprising: means to imitate operation of a subscriberlocation database of a first mobile network; means to receive a requestto send routing instructions of a message to a store-and-forward centerof a second mobile network; means to generate the routing instructionswhich instruct the store-and forward center to route the message to agateway server of the first mobile network; and means to transmit therouting instructions to the store-and-forward center of the secondmobile network.
 35. (canceled)
 36. (canceled)